![]() ![]() Later these tissues shrivel and turn brown to black. The floral receptacle, ovary, and peduncles become water soaked and dull, grayish green in appearance. Blossom clusters and young shootsīlossom symptoms are first observed 1-2 weeks after petal fall. Generally, symptoms of fire blight are easy to recognize and distinguishable from other diseases. Symptoms of fire blight can be observed on all above ground tissues including blossoms, fruits, shoots, branches and limbs, and in the rootstock near the graft union on the lower trunk. Today, fire blight is an important disease of apples and pears in many parts of the world. It was the first bacterium proven to be a pathogen of plants. HOSTS: Apple, pear, several rosaceous ornamentalsĮrwinia amylovora is a native pathogen of wild, rosaceous hosts in eastern North America. Unfortunately, there is no 100% effective prevention measure for Fire Blight, and the best way to avoid damage is to carefully monitor your trees for early signs and prune out as soon as possible.Johnson, K.B. A copper sulfate spray in early spring can also reduce the rate of infection. Prevention of Fire Blight starts with selecting disease resistant varieties of your trees (see below). This can be done by dunking or wiping your pruner or saw blade or by using a spray bottle to coat the blade in between each cut. Use rubbing alcohol (70% concentration preferred) or a 10% bleach 90% water solution to sterilize. ![]() It is very important to sterilize your tools between each pruning cut (a good general practice anytime you’re pruning during the active growing season) to avoid spreading the disease. Pruning cuts should be made into healthy wood, at least 6 to 12 inches below where you see any sign of infection.Ĭheck out POP’s YouTube Channel for other videos on ecological orchard care! Prune off diseased wood as soon as you notice it to prevent it from spreading.
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